Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣

"Over the longer term, it's really damaging to the reputation of the government and its ability to get things done" @FDAGenSec tells @itvnews about the damage done by sacking Sir Olly Robbins

As I told @StigAbell @TimesRadio, diplomats are made, not born, and require high levels of experience, skill and expertise to carry out very difficult work - the practice of politicians using these posts as tokens or retirement presents for their friends/allies needs to stop.

"I think the Prime Minister is losing the ability to work with the civil service”, @FDAGenSec told @vicderbyshire @BBCNewsnight. “Who in the civil service would now think they would be immune from when it is politically expedient to be dismissed?” bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

This is ‘Johnson era’ says @FDAGenSec Trust between civil servants and Ministers is vital to ensure government works, when civil servants are thrown under the bus for political convenience, trust is eroded. Proud to work for this union standing up for civil servants.

As I told @ShelaghFogarty, Sir Olly Robbins outlined today that there's a reason the vetting process is kept separate from ministers - to protect the integrity of the process, and ultimately national security.

At the heart of this debacle we have seen the unceremonious dismissal of a public servant who, as I said to @ShelaghFogarty, has dedicated his career to the work of government and the protection of our national security.

Grateful to @NIC_ICTU for arranging a briefing with Economy Minister @CArchibald_SF on the ‘Good Jobs Bill’ & to Unison for hosting. The bill will include changes to workers rights on: ✅ terms of employment ✅ pay & benefits ✅ voice representation ✅ work/life balance

Honestly, can we all please stop with the April fools political jokes…

Sir David Sterling KCB is a prime example of a public servant with a simple motivation and commitment - to making this place work.

Civil servants are an easy target for some, precisely because they can’t talk openly, but the vast majority are committed public servants who want to deliver better outcomes for people in NI, yet are often hamstrung by chronic instability and wider challenges.

A great piece from @dmcbfs with @DavidSterling7 gives an insight into the challenges facing civil servants in NI. “issues that have been parked for a long time, combined with an ageing population and increasing demand for public services, are putting real pressure on finances.”

My response to Education Minister’s written ministerial statement re HR Review. Civil servants have no right of reply & Ministers have a responsibility to respect confidentiality and protect the impartiality of civil service. These principles must be upheld for all officials👇

FDA National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh (@FDA_NI) has responded to the written ministerial statement made by Minister for Education Paul Givan this afternoon:

Gareth Murphy from @fsuireland on their work on AI AI poses both risks and opportunities for trade unions and our members, we need a pragmatic approach to its deployment. That’s why the FDA & Fabian Society launched report ‘Adopt, Innovate, Transform’👇 fda.org.uk/news/ai-report…

That’s why the @FDA_union has a full learning offer for members and why we run regular training and development sessions. Including successful training on ‘reading and understanding legislation’ and tomorrow we will have a session ‘developing your competency example.’

Delighted to be at @NIC_ICTU learning conference. The FDA, our members and civil servants, are beneficiaries of the union learning fund. We aren’t there just to support members T&Cs but also to support personal and professional development of members.

On @StephenNolan I said you cannot cut the no. of public sector workers/civil servants and expect things to be rosy. Comparisons with Scot/Wales aren’t fair, our system is v different. For exec parties to determine priorities & ensure the workforce to meet those @NewtonEmerson

Surely not!!! ☘️

It is truly a privilege to serve as General Secretary of the FDA and I could not be prouder to be re-elected for another 5 year term. The challenges never cease but neither does the inspiration in representing the dedicated public servants who make up our growing membership.